A mom and lawyer says she’s cracked the “secret code” to parenting teenage boys—and it involves burritos.
Terri Harris, a lawyer and mother, sparked conversation online after sharing a light‑hearted post about her relationship with her teenage son. The post has since garnered more than 246,000 views, with parents chiming in to say her approach feels surprisingly familiar.
“Hey I think I have the secret code for parenting teenage boys: Chipotle check ins,” Harris wrote. She explained that whenever her son starts becoming snarky at home, she makes one simple offer.
“Every time my teenage son starts getting snarky with everyone in the house, I ask him if he wants to go to Chipotle,” she continued. “Knowing he is a teenage trash can who eats constantly and never gains a pound, he always says yes.”
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Chipotle is a fast‑casual Mexican‑style restaurant chain popular across the U.S. and beyond, known for customizable burritos, bowls, tacos and quesadillas, often favored by teens for its large portions and quick service.
Harris said the routine has become something of a ritual for the pair.
“So now it is our thing. He calls me up and asks me if we can go to Chipotle. We just sit and talk like two old friends,” she wrote.
The moment that truly surprised her came afterward.
“And yesterday when we got home from Chipotle he said, ‘You would make a great grandma.'”
Many commenters pointed to “hanger”—a combination of hunger and anger—as the likely explanation behind Harris’ discovery. The term is commonly used to describe irritability or mood changes caused by not eating enough, particularly in children and teenagers with fast metabolisms.
Social media users quickly flooded the comments with similar experiences.
“A phrase I heard when my kids were teens. We all still use it even tho they are in their 30’s. If you feel like you hate everyone, eat something. If you feel like everyone hates you, take a nap,’” shared Kelly.
“I have found after raising 4 girls that hunger drove a lot of unpleasantness. Food=peace,” shared Angela.
“I feel like if my parents bought me a burrito every time I was in a bad mood when I was a teenager, it really would’ve solved a lot of problems,” added Dylan.
Others said food had helped defuse emotional moments with younger children as well.
“My youngest (a girl who is going to break me before taking over the world, naturally) cracked that cheat code on me a few years ago, she was raging as only a 7yo can, and I simply asked if she wanted a couple Oreos—guaranteed to calm her—and she hollered back, ‘Why you always trying to feed me when I’m mad?! I’m just being mad!’ Girl, cuz you hangry, too!” shared Emma.
Another parent shared how food became a safe space during a particularly difficult time.
“My eldest had horrible anxiety during her HS years. She was bullied relentlessly. For us, it was Cheesecake Factory. Anytime during the day if I got a text with just the word MOM on it, I would go get her and we would share a piece of cheesecake and let her cry it out. Seems like The Golden Girls knew the answer all along,” added Sara.
Newsweek reached out to Terri Harris for comment via Instagram. We could not verify the details of the case.